Air sterilizer and lamp



M I. B. POLEVITZKY I 2,500,007

AIR STERILIZER AND LAMP Filed March 26, 1947 & IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I 42 i 29 E I fifargasmk 1j0r.2aleyzi" 7% Patented Mar. 7, 1950 UNITED STATES ram" orFlcE Claims.

This invention relates generally to an air sterilizing apparatus and more particularly to an apparatus for the elimination of air-borne bacteria and germs by means of ultraviolet radiations the same also serving as a lamp or as a source of illumination.

One object of this invention is to provide a portable or permanent fixture which is designed to emit suitable bactericidal and germicidal radiations in the ultraviolent range of light and to draw the surrounding air through the apparatus and into the field of these radiations.

Another object of this invention is to provide a transparent, fluorescent enclosure or globe for the source of the radiated energy and to protect users from the harmful effect of exposure to its direct rays, while, in addition, this fluorescent enclosure, being sensitive to ultraviolent radiation, is thereby activated and caused to glow producing a source of illumination.

A further object of this invention lies in the combination of an illuminating lamp and an air sterilizer functioning together and as an integral unit to produce a device of great practical utility and attractive appearance.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear from the detailed disclosure below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

In general, the core of this apparatus consists of a gaseous discharge type of tube, designed for the production. of bactericidal and germicidal radiat ons in the ultraviolet range of light which is suitably mounted on a stand or base. Also mounted on this base is a translucent shield or globe constructed of glass, or any other suitable material substantially impervious to ultraviolet light, preferably cylindrical but may be of any other desired shape, which encloses the discharge tube within it and having coated upon its inner surface, or otherwise applied thereto, a suitable layer of fluorescent material sensitive to radiated energy of the same wave length region as that emitted by the gaseous discharge tube. Integral with this cylindrical shield at its upper end is a capQpreferably semispherical in shape, making the globe as a whole an effective shield from the radiations of the discharge tube.

In its operation, when electric current is applied to the dischargetube, the ultraviolet radiations emitted will excite the fluorescent coating of the shield or globe to luminosity.

The bactericidal elfect upon the air in the vicinity of the lamp is accomplished in the following manner: Thebase or stand for the apparatus has'in its outer casing suitable louvres or screens 2 which constitute an air passage to its substantially hollow interior, and from its interior there is an openin to the annular air space enclosed between the cylindrical globe and the elongated discharge tube shielded therein. The cap at the top of the shield, mentioned above, is preferably designed to overhang the cylindrical portion and openings in the underside of this overhanging portion constitute a suitable egress for. circulating air yet do not impair its shielding efficiency. Thus, in operation, the heat emitted from the energized discharge bulb causes the air in the vicinity of the lamp to be drawn in through the louvres in the base and to circulate up into the sterilizing chamber containing the discharge tube, where the air is exposed to the bactericidal effect of its ultraviolet emission, and then to pass out to th surrounding atmosphere again as sterilized air through the egresses supplied in the cap. The results of the operation of this device, then, are to provide a source of illumination which also serves to rid the surrounding air of Fig. 4 is a wiring diagram of the apparatus;

and

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the arrangement of parts of the base to receive the shield when positioned for use and an automatic safety switch operated by it.

The box-like base or stand ill of the apparatus supports the frame or bracket I! which carries the germicidal gaseous discharge lamp l2.-

The base 10 also supports the fluorescent shield or globe is and its cap i l.

Base i0 is depicted in the drawings as substantially cubic, but it may be of any suitable shape or size, and has suitable louvres or air filter screens 15 in one or two sides. Mounted on the top face it of the base is a circular ring l1, secured thereto by means of bolts or screws 63, whose cross section is trapezoidal in shape, its inner edge being designed to leave-awedge shaped space between it and the surface it; a gasket ring it, of rubber or any other suitable material, being designed to fit snugly there in. Concentric with ring it, but of smaller diameter, is ring 20 also rigidly secured to surface I8, leaving between ring 20 and gasket I a relatively narrow annular slot 2| serving as a seat for the cylindrical shield I3. The circular area enclosed by ring on surface I6 is completely cut away permitting free passage of air or gas from the interior of base I0 to the sterilizing chamber 26 enclosed by shield or globe I3.

Attached to inner ring 20 is the bracket I I used to hold the germicidal lamp I2 in position. Bracket II has at its ends plates 22 and 23 which carry electric receptacles 24 and 25 attached thereto. Thus, when in position in its sockets 24 and 25, the gaseous discharge tube I2 is located substantially over the center of the circular opening in face I6 enabling it, when operated, to draw air up through the sterilizing chamber 26, by convection currents, most efliciently and also enabling its rays to excite the fluorescent material on the globe I3 to an equal intensity in all regions The bracket I I has a long cut out portion 9.

The germicidal or bactericidal tube I2 is of any of the conventional types of gaseous discharge bulbs operating by means of an electronic discharge between two filaments, one at each end of the tube, through a rarifled atmosphere of inert; gases or mercury vapor, and constructed usually of quartz or glass or similar material that will permit of the passage of ultraviolet light therethrough. These bulbs of the above type which produce light of the'wave length region of from 2000 to 3000 angstrom units are the ones particularly considered, for it is this region of light which has the greatest germicidal and bactericidal efiectiveness, particularly light of Wave 1";2

lengths 2000 to 2600 angstrom units.

The translucent and fluorescent glass shield or screen I3, which encloses the bactericidal gaseous discharge bulb I2 and thereby forms the sterilizing chamber 26, is depicted in the accompanying drawings as cylindrical, but it may be made in any other suitable shape. A fluorescent material reacting to radiations of the range in which the germicidal bulb operates is coated on the inside surface of, or otherwise applied to the glass screen I 5. Its base is so shaped as to fit snugly into the annular slot 2| left between rings I7 and 20. As the globe is placed into the annular slot, an outward pressure is exerted against the soft rubber gasket ring I9 causing it to wedge itself rather tightly into the wedge-like slot existing between the inner edge of ring I! and the surface I0, forming a suitably airtight seal be-- tween the outside and the sterilizing chamber at the line of union between the shield and the base, and. serving also to grip the globe and maintain it in position.

In addition, the cylindrical shield has at its upper end a cap I 4, preferably semispherical in shape, integral with the cylindrical portion. The entire glass shield or globe, when positioned on the base I0, completely encloses the bulb I2 and serves as an eiiective screen or shield to the users of this air sterilizing lamp against exposure to the direct ultraviolet rays emitted from bulb I2 and the harmful effects that might result therefrom. Cap I4 is designed to overhang the cylindrical portion I3 of the shield or globe as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, and it is in the underside of this overhang that openings 2'! are made as egresses for the sterilized air that is drawn through the apparatus by convection currents.

The fundamental parts of this air sterilizing lamp having been described, its operation is as follows: Electric current is applied to the gaseous discharge bulb I2 which causes it to emit radiations in the ultraviolet region of light. The heat resulting from the operation of this bulb causes air to flow, by convection currents, from the surrounding atmosphere of the apparatus through the louvres I5 in base I 0 into the interior of the base, through the opening in surface It of the base into the sterilizing chamber 26, through the entire length of that chamber, and to return to the surrounding atmosphere through openings 2'! in cap I4. In this process, the bacteria and germ carrying air of the contaminated surrounding atmosphere is exposed in the sterilizing chamber 26 to the germicidal .1 and bactericidal ultraviolet radiations of bulb I2 and finally returned to the surrounding atmosphere as sterilized air. In addition, the ultraviolet radiations of bulb I2 act upon the fluorescent coating of shield I3 and its integrated cap I l causing an illumination in the region where the device is operating. This shield and cap further operate to protect the users of the lamp from direct exposure to the ultraviolet radiations. Thus a highly esthetic and practical apparatus is produced in a novel device for air sterilization and illumination.

In addition to the fundamental features already lescribed, there are several incidental parts yet to be disclosed. Included in the electrical circuit is ballast 28 used in the operation of bulb I2. Also a manual control switch 29 afiixed to base II] for the purpose of turning on and oh the electric power operating the bulb I2. In addition, there is a safety switch 30 included in the apparatus and particularly shown in Fig. 5. This switch is composed of two spring elements 3: and 32 which are arranged to be normally in the open position shown in Fig. 5. The upper element 3| carries on it the arm 33 which projects into the annular slot 2| designed to receive the base of globe I3, so that when the globe is placed in slot 2| it will force arm 33 down causing switch element 3| to contact the other element 32 thus closing the safety switch. The function of switch 3-0 is to operate as a safety device, for, being interposed in the electrical circuit in series with gaseous discharge tube I2, and operating switch 29, bulb I2 will not operate unless shield I3 is properly positioned in its seat 2 I.

This invention, in the form as shown in the accompanying drawings and particularly disclosed in this specification, is a portable air sterilizing lamp which may be moved to or placed in any locality where it is desired to sterilize the air. However, it may assume many other forms lying within the scope of this disclosure, one of which, for example, may be a permanent fixture installed in the walls of a room as a part of an air conditioning apparatus.

What is claimed is:

1. A combined illuminating lamp and air sterilizer comprising a gaseous discharge bulb generating bactericidal radiations of ultraviolet light, a supporting stand for the bulb and electrical sockets attached to said stand to receive said bulb, a removable translucent shield enclosing said bulb, said shield having a fluorescent coating and having openings in its upper end, forming an air sterilizing chamber therein and serving as a source of fluorescent illumination in the presence of the ultraviolet emissions of the sterilizing bulb, and a hollow base having an opening in one of its walls for the ingress of air and having an opening in its top wall for communication with said sterilizing chamber, said base also having an annular recess in its top, forming a supporting seat for said shield, said supporting stand being mounted on the top wall of the base.

2. A combined illuminating lamp and air sterilizer comprising a gaseous discharge bulb generating bactericidal radiations of ultraviolet light, a supporting stand for the bulb and electrical sockets attached to said stand to receive said bulb, a removable translucent shield enclosing said bulb, the shield having an inner fluorescent coating, having openings in its upper end, forming an air sterilizing chamber and serving as a source of fluorescent illumination in the presence of the ultraviolet emissions of the sterilizing bulb, a base for holding said supporting stand and said shield, said base having a recess in its top for receiving the bottom of said shield and forming a seat therefor, a gasket disposed between said shield and a shoulder formed by said recess, said base also having openings to the surrounding atmosphere in its sides and to the sterilizing chamber in its upper surface permitting air to be drawn from the surrounding atmosphere into the base then into the sterilizing chamber and returned to the atmosphere through the openings in the shield, and a safety switch in electrical series with the bulb, said switch having an operating element projecting into said recess such that said switch will be operated from a normally open to a closed position by the action of the shield upon said element when said shield is placed in its seat.

3. A combined illuminating lamp and air sterilizer comprising a gaseous discharge bulb generating bactericidal radiations of ultraviolet light, a supporting stand for the bulb and electrical sockets attached to said stand to receive said bulb, a removable and fluorescentl coated translucent glass shield enclosing said bulb, having Openings in its upper end, forming an air sterilizing chamber therein and serving as a source of fluorescent illumination in the presence of the ultraviolet emissions of the sterilizing bulb, a base for holding said supporting stand and said shield, said base having formed in its upper surface a recess for receiving the bottom of said shield and forming a seat therefor, said base also having openings in its sides and top to permit the ingress of air to the sterilizing chamber, said openings in the top of said shield forming an egress therefor, during operation of the lamp, and a safety switch in electrical series with the bulb, said switch having an operating element projecting into said annular slot such that said switch will be operated from a normally open to a closed position by the action of the shield uponsaid element when said shield is placed in its seat.

4. A combined illuminating lamp and air sterilizer comprising a radiation unit, a shield, and a hollow base; said radiation unit comprising a gaseous discharge bulb generating bactericidal radiations of ultraviolet light, a supporting stand therefor, and electrical sockets affixed to said stand for receiving said bulb; said shield being of translucent material, having a fluorescent coating activated to fluorescence by ultraviolet radiations, being open at its bottom end, and having ports at its upper end; said base having an opening in its top and having a recess in its top surround said opening forming a seat for the shield, said base also having ports in its sides; said radiation unit being secured to said top, and said base cooperating with the shield to envelop said radiation unit on all sides to form a sterilizing chamber and substantially to prevent the escape of ultraviolet radiations, and to provide for the passage of air through the base and sterilizing chamber.

5. A combined illuminating lamp and air sterilizer comprising a bactericidal radiation unit, an open bottomed fluorescent shield enclosing said unit, and a hollow base; said base having an opening in its top and a recess surrounding said opening, said radiation unit being mounted on said top, said recess forming a seat for the bottom of said shield and cooperating therewith to envelop said radiation unit on all sides forming a sterilizing chamber, said shield fluorescing in the presence of ultraviolet light, said base having ports in a wall and in its top and the top of said shield having ports to permit the circulation of air through said sterilizing chamber.

IGOR B. POLEVITZKY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,921,069 Buchanan Aug. 8, 1933 2,215,634 Collins Sept. 24, 1940 2,293,924 Swanson Aug. 25, 1942 2,350,462 Johns June 6, 1944 2,359,021 Campbell et a1. Sept. 26, 1944 2,406,104 Ranney Aug. 20, 1946 2,413,940 Bickford Jan. 7, 1947 2,430,336 Hathaway Nov. 4, 1947 

